Homemade Jams Crafted with Care

Hi, I’m Lydia, and I am the heart behind Pick of the Prairie. This small-batch brand is my way of honoring the beauty and flavors of prairie life while staying deeply connected to the family traditions that shaped me.

Pick of the Prairie began simply, with my love for seasonal ingredients and the comfort of homemade food. Over time, this passion has grown into a collection of jams, jellies, herbal teas, and body care products, each one crafted with intention. I believe that small touches, like a jar of jam or a cup of herbal tea, can bring comfort and spark connection. It can even add a bit of joy to our daily routines.

Pick of the Prairie is also our family’s growing berry farm here in Southwest Iowa. We are just beginning to establish our berry plantings, but my vision extends well beyond what is in the ground today. I look forward to the day when we can offer fresh berries, more fruits, and a variety of culinary and medicinal herbs grown right here on our land. Each season teaches me something new and brings us closer to building a diverse, local source of food and botanicals for our community.

Living in Southwest Iowa, I find daily inspiration in the changing seasons. From the open fields to the wildflowers that dot the landscape. It is often the simplest moments that remind me why I love prairie life. Whether I am blending a new herbal tea or stirring a pot of preserves, I am guided by the desire to create something beautiful, useful, and made with care. I believe that thoughtful work can make a real difference in how we experience everyday life.

I am convinced that supporting small businesses, farmers, farmers’ markets, makers’ markets, and local farm stands is more important now than ever before. As our food system becomes more centralized, too many communities lose access to fresh, local food. Each time we choose to buy from a local farm, a makers market, or a roadside stand, we are helping to strengthen our community and support those who are working hard to bring food production back home. I see this as an investment in our shared future, one that preserves agricultural traditions and helps build a more resilient food system for everyone.

For me, Pick of the Prairie is a reminder that the best things in life are often the simplest: a warm cup of tea after a long day, the taste of homemade jam, or the joy of picking fresh berries in season. I have learned that these small rituals help us slow down, reconnect with the land, and truly appreciate the world around us.

Thank you for supporting my small business and for joining me on this journey. Each purchase you make supports not only our growing family farm, but also the dream of bringing more locally grown food, fruit, and herbs from our fields to your table. I am grateful to share this vision with you.

–Lydia